Arunachal rains worsen flood situation in upper Asom

Guwahati, July 29 (UNI) Upper Asom continued to reel under flood waters with incessant rain in Arunachal Pradesh leading to worsening of the situation.

The swelling waters of the river Lohit in the neighbouring state fed the rivers in Asom even as several areas in the Upper and Central regions of the state faced the flood fury for the past several days.

Dhemaji continued to be the worst-hit, with the district remaining cut off from the rest of the country since July 12.

Close to two lakh population had been affected and nearly 300 villages were submerged in the district.

The river Kumotia had changed its course and washed away 1.5 mt of the National Highway-52 in the district on July 12.

The road could be restored only after the river was pushed back to its natural route.

The Army-constructed bailey bridge had was also submerged and road communication to Dhemaji had come to a standstill.

Another two lakh population was also affected in Lakhimpur district and hundreds of villages got submerged.

Dibrugarh district also continued to face the flood fury, with the Brahmaputra flowing above the red mark at Dibrugarh town and the Burhidehing at Naharkotia and Khowang.

In Sonitpur district, swelling waters of Belgiri, Gabhoru, Dhirai, Jiabharali, Bordikorai, and other rivers submerged several villages and displaced 1.5 lakh people.

The river Jiabharali had inundated several places under Tezpur sub-division and Sariduar, Noduar and Tezpur revenue circles.

Two embankments, built with the expenditure of several crores, had also been washed away by the Jiabharali river. The river was flowing at 77.70 mt in the district, much above the danger mark of 77.00 mt.The Brahmaputra had washed away about 300 mt of an embankment at Senimari in Lahorighat in Morigaon district. More than 50 villages had also been submerged, with the waters threatening to enter other parts also.

Darrang district also reeled under water, with several villages submerged and people taking shelter at higher places.

In Nagaon district of central Asom, the situation turned grim, with all major rivers, including Kopili, Jamuna, Kolong, flowing above the danger level.

A portion of national highway-36 was also submerged near Doboka in the district. Traffic movement was, however, not affected.

Parts of the hill district of Karbi Anglong were also inundated by incessant rainfall over the past several days.

UNI